Ohio State notebook: Miller in a different place this time around

The last time Braxton Miller went to Illinois he completed just 1 of 4 passes. It was a touchdown in an ugly 17-7 win in Champaign. If Miller completes just one pass Saturday when third-ranked Ohio State plays Illinois, head coach Urban Meyer may blow a gasket.

The last time Braxton Miller went to Illinois he completed just 1 of 4 passes. It was a touchdown in an ugly 17-7 win in Champaign.

If Miller completes just one pass Saturday when third-ranked Ohio State plays Illinois, head coach Urban Meyer may blow a gasket.

Still, Meyer didn't second-guess the way Ohio State had to win two years ago.

"You win a game however you can," Meyer said. "I don't know the conditions. I know we had a young quarterback and a nonfunctional group of wideouts. I would imagine you would do what we did (last year): Run the quarterback a lot. Do what you gotta do to walk out with a win."

Miller and the offense are in a much different place now than they were then. Now, they're one of the best, most explosive offenses in the country.

"I can assure you that we're in a much different place than he was two years ago," Meyer said, smiling. "... At this point last year, we weren't fired up at times throwing the ball. We're in a different mindset. I have complete confidence in both our quarterbacks. ... It's a completely different scenario."

DECKER, PERRY OK

Offensive lineman Taylor Decker, who had a minor knee injury against Purdue when the game was well decided, used the bye week to rest his injury. Meyer said Decker is fine, and he will line up for contact today. Linebacker Josh Perry dislocated a finger on his right hand during the game and had surgery during the bye week. Meyer said Perry practiced full speed Monday and last week.

FAU INQUIRED

Florida Atlantic University athletic director Pat Chun, a former Ohio State athletic department employee, spoke with Meyer last week about its opening. Meyer said the two talk about names. Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell was reportedly interviewed for the job.

Meyer shot that down last week and said his assistants would not interview during the season.

"We talked about some names. Pat's a great friend," Meyer said. "He's also very respectful of this time of year for us. We talked about a profile."

Meyer would not confirm if Fickell is a name they talked about or fits the profile they came up with.

CONLEY REDSHIRT?

Massillon freshman Gareon Conley is listed in the two-deep chart and has been all season. However, Conley has not played. It looks as though Conley won't play unless pressed into action by injury; otherwise, he will redshirt.

"No one is redshirting yet," defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs said. "They're not playing, and the plan might be to try and redshirt them. They compete very hard in practice."